Part 7
It is generally understood that this order shall not be applicable in time of peace; yet it would seem that, to make it effective and to anticipate the confusion incident to a declaration of war, some plan or system should be developed in the American Red Cross (which is the sanitary service recognized by the War Department) whereby the individual members could be definitely classified, and, when the occasion demanded, the necessary brassards and cards of identity could be expeditiously given them.
That this question should engage the attention of the American Red Cross is apparent to those of us who were in San Francisco during the weeks immediately following the disaster of April 18, 1906. On almost every other man was seen the Red Cross emblem in some form, it being generally known that those engaged in duties pertaining to this organization were permitted to pass and re-pass the sentries on duty in different parts of the city; for while we were not technically “under martial law,” yet the streets were everywhere patrolled by armed men, some of whom were directly under military control and others only partially so. It was in passing one of these patrols that a personal friend of mine was shot and killed for refusing, when challenged, to stop his automobile, on which was flying a Red Cross flag. It is needless to say that not one-quarter of those using the emblem were legally entitled to do so, and much harm was done the organization by those who wore the brassard for personal gain and benefit.
Only by the study of past experience can we judge what the future will produce; and if we expect the general public ever to recognize and respect the brassard we should begin at once a campaign of instruction which will explain its legitimate use and the reasons for regulating its issue.
It would be of incalculable benefit in time of war, or when martial law was declared, to have brassards and cards of identification already issued and recorded, for they could readily be re-stamped or copied by the Medical Department, as provided for in the order quoted, with the result that much time would be saved and much confusion avoided.
REPRESSION OF THE ABUSE OF THE RED CROSS INSIGNIA
At the time of the Eighth International Red Cross Conference held in London, June, 1907, Professor Louis Renault presented in the name of the Central Committee of the French Red Cross a report upon the “Repression of the Abuse of the Red Cross Insignia.” In this report Professor Renault showed that for twenty years this question had not ceased to be considered. This abuse continues in certain countries—ours among the number—because of insufficient legislation. Still, important steps have been taken, and if to-day the work has not been completed it is on the right road. At the International Convention of 1906, at Geneva, when the revised treaty was accepted it contained special paragraphs referring to the protection of the insignia and name which all the countries of the world have agreed upon to designate the hospital formations and their personnel protected by this treaty. The countries signing this treaty obligated themselves, in case their present laws do not provide sufficient protection to the Red Cross name and insignia, to apply to their respective legislative bodies for the further necessary legislation. The report of Professor Renault had for its object to call attention to these promises that had been made. The honor and the interest of each country demand that they be kept. The Swiss Federal Council has lately prepared a law which it will present to the Chambers to preserve to this emblem of humanitarian neutrality, which the Cross of Geneva represents, all its moral value and its noble signification.
_Action of American Medical Association._
Major W. M. Ireland, Medical Corps, U. S. Army, presented to the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association the resolution adopted by the Executive Committee of the American National Red Cross, October 18, 1907, and then offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS, By the terms of the Treaty of Geneva, 1864, and the Revised Treaty of Geneva, 1906, the emblem of the Greek Red Cross on a white ground, and the words “Red Cross,” or “Geneva Cross,” were adopted to designate the personnel and materiel of the medical departments of the military and naval forces and of the recognized volunteer aid societies in time of war for the humane purpose of rendering them immune from attack or capture; and
WHEREAS, The United States, as well as all other civilized powers, is a signatory to said treaties; and
WHEREAS, The use of the Red Cross by medical associations and individuals of the medical profession must seriously impair the usefulness of the emblem for the purpose for which it was created and adopted; be it therefore
_Resolved_, That it is the sense of the American Medical Association that the use of the Geneva Red Cross by associations or individuals, other than those of the army, navy and Red Cross Society, should be discontinued, and, if desirable, some other insignia adopted, and be it further
_Resolved_, That the adoption of this resolution be given as wide publicity as possible in the medical journals of the country.
Dr. Samuel Wolfe, of Pennsylvania, supplemented the resolutions presented by Major Ireland by introducing the following preambles and resolution, which were also referred to the Reference Committee on Legislation and Political Action:
WHEREAS, It is held that the Red Cross, which now constitutes the main character in the official badge of the American Medical Association, is eminently distinctive of certain broader fields of philanthropy, rather than of medicine in particular, and
WHEREAS, The traditions of medicine would be fully satisfied by the adoption of a design as herewith submitted and described as follows:
A shield on which is emblazoned the American eagle holding in its talons a laurel wreath within which is the knotty rod and entwined serpent and the letters A. M. A.; therefore, be it
_Resolved_, That the American Medical Association adopt as its official insignia or badge this design.
_Protect the Red Cross._
Issued by the New York State Branch.
When the Red Cross insignia was first adopted at the Geneva Convention, as a sign of a hospital in war, and for many years after that, no one dreamed of using it as a mark on goods sold in trade. Gradually, however, such use became more common, and a badge of humanity, which men in the midst of warfare respected, became more and more, in trade, a meaningless label, applied to all kinds of medicinal boxes, bottles and jars, and every other conceivable package and bundle.
The badge of the Red Cross in America would have become a mere commercial mark but for the efforts of the American Red Cross and its branches.
We have worked hard to stop this wrongful use of the red cross, and we appeal to you to help us in this work, and to respect the law, for the unauthorized use of the red cross is in violation of a Federal statute. Help us to make the red cross what it should be, the badge which stands for humanity, and help to those who suffer in war and in calamities of all kinds. Help us to do this by stopping the use of the red cross or using the words red cross on your own articles of commerce and by urging others to do the same.
Even if it helps you to sell a few articles by using this mark on them, is it worth while bringing the red cross into the domain of commercialism, when so many thousand Americans, men and women, in private and in public life—President Taft as well as the smallest worker in the smallest branch—are trying to make the red cross the emblem of the great Red Cross work all over this country, and of that work only?
We forget only too readily what is done in such cases as the San Francisco and the Messina earthquakes, and few recall now the Red Cross work in the Spanish War—fewer still the similar work of the Sanitary Commissions during the Civil War. We pour out money to the associations organized to help those in distress, and we give the Red Cross millions of dollars to distribute. Nobody questions its work; nobody doubts its efficiency; all trust it. Why not then help it as we ask you to do? City officials in New York, and hundreds of individuals have stopped the use of the red cross on ambulances, automobiles, wagons, boxes, packages and all kinds of other articles. They have chosen other emblems suggesting medicine and purity of the articles sold. We urge you to do the same.
Help us, therefore, to make its badge honored and respected, so that it shall stand for nothing but the presence of the ever-ready American Red Cross.
Resolution adopted by the National Association of Retail Druggists in convention at Louisville, September 6-10, 1909.
WHEREAS, By the terms of the Treaty of Geneva, 1864, and the revised Treaty of Geneva, 1906, the emblem of the Greek Red Cross on a white background and the words “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross” were adopted to designate the personnel and materiel of the medical departments of the military and naval forces and the recognized volunteer aid societies in time of war, for the humane purpose of rendering them immune from attack or capture, and
WHEREAS, The United States, as well as all other civilized powers, is a signatory to said treaties,
_Resolved_, That the National Association of Retail Druggists request its members to refrain from using this insignia to designate their places of business.
THE STORY OF THE RED CROSS
V.
SOCIETIES SUGGESTED.
“Why did I write ‘Un Souvenir de Solferino’”? M. Dunant asks himself, and replies:
“That societies, like those suggested, with a permanent existence should be organized so that they could be ready to act the moment war was declared. They should receive official recognition from their respective governments, with permission and facilities for continuing their noble work to the end. Among their officials should be the most honorable and esteemed men. In our century of egotism what an attraction for generous hearts and chivalrous characters to brave the same danger as the soldier, with a voluntary mission of peace and consolation! History proves there is nothing chimerical in counting upon such devotion. Two facts especially confirm this. While the Sisters of Charity cared for the sick and wounded of the French army in the Crimea, the Russian and British armies witnessed the arrival from the north and the west of two legions of noble women nurses. The Grand Duchess, Helene Paulowna, of Russia, widow of the Grand Duke Michael, engaged nearly 300 ladies of St. Petersburg and Moscow, provided them with supplies, and sent them to the hospitals in the Crimea, where these good women were blessed by thousands of the soldiers.
“Miss Florence Nightingale, having received from the Minister of War a pressing appeal to help the sick and wounded English soldiers, left for Scutari in November, 1854, with 27 other women. In 1855 Miss Stanley, with 50 more women, went out. The image of Florence Nightingale, her little lamp in hand, passing at night down the vast wards of the military hospitals and taking note of each of the sick and wounded will never be effaced from the hearts of the men who were the objects of her noble charity, and the story of her work will remain forever engraved in history.
“In many cases of similar devotion, ancient and modern, how many proved of little value because they were isolated and were not supported by the sympathy of others intelligently associated together for a common end? Had trained nurses and hospital orderlies been at Castiglione those terrible days of June 24, 25, and 26, how many human lives would have been saved? The sight of so many brave young soldiers crippled by loss of arm or leg returning disconsolately to their homes must arouse a feeling of remorse that no measures had been taken beforehand to prevent such consequences of wounds which would have healed had proper care been given them at first.
“For the accomplishment of such a work help must be immediate, for he who can save the wounded to-day can not save them to-morrow. Why could not such humane work be organized, permanent, and universal, instead of desultory, temporary, and restricted? It appeals to the men of all countries and all ranks, from the monarch to the workingman, for all may take their part in this good work, from the high-born lady to the simple housewife—all who desire to contribute to their neighbor’s welfare. It appeals to the general, to the marshal, the minister of war, the writer, who by his publications may plead for a cause that interests all humanity.”
Dunant also urged the calling of special conferences to formulate an international treaty for the protection of the sick and wounded and the hospital personnel in time of war.
The result of these reflections was the formation in 1863 of the universal work of the Red Cross, which should not only be useful on the battle field in war time, but also in time of epidemic, floods, fires, and catastrophes generally, and in 1864 the first treaty of Geneva, since accepted by all the civilized countries of the world, was signed.
The Bishop of Orleans pronounced this “a beautiful and Christian idea of M. Dunant’s,” observing that “he who does good is the compatriot of all, and deserves a universal passport.”
TUBERCULOSIS DEPARTMENT
AMERICAN RED CROSS CHRISTMAS STAMPS
_Terms and Conditions Governing their Sale and Disposition of the Proceeds._
[Illustration]
Practical experience in the Red Cross Christmas stamp campaign in the season of 1908, and in the distribution of the proceeds from stamp sales, has shown the necessity of certain changes in conditions and methods. The rules which will govern in the sale of stamps and disbursement of proceeds from July 1, 1909, until further notice are as follows:
Rule 1. The American Red Cross will appoint agents to sell the stamps and dispose of the proceeds. The stamps will not be sold to agents but will remain the property of the Red Cross until sold at retail by the agents. Agents will be such State branches and sub-divisions of the Red Cross and such anti-tuberculosis societies or other organizations as may be appointed.
Rule 2. Before entrusting the sale of Christmas stamps to any society, the Red Cross will require satisfactory evidence of the reliability and standing of the society and its ability to creditably carry out the Red Cross purposes in the expenditure of the proceeds from stamp sales.
Every State branch or subdivision and every other society desiring to sell Christmas stamps is required to first submit to the Central Committee a statement of the particular anti-tuberculosis work which it proposes to support or promote with the proceeds from the stamp sales. If the organization desiring to sell stamps intends to expend the money itself, the statement should make plain the exact character of the work proposed to be carried on. If it intends to turn the money over for expenditure to one or more other societies or agencies, the names of such other societies or agencies and the kind of work for which the money will be expended by them should be explicitly stated.
All the information called for in rule 2 should reach the National office of the Red Cross during the summer in order that there may be no delay in the appointment of agents or the forwarding of stamps when the selling period arrives.
Rule 3. The appointment of agents will be for the period ending March 1, 1910. During the term of its appointment an agent shall have the exclusive right to sell Red Cross stamps within the city (including suburbs) in which such agent is situated and the expenditure of the proceeds of the sale of stamps will be under the immediate direction of such agent, in accordance with the general plan approved by the Red Cross.
Rule 4. The American Red Cross will supply Christmas stamps to agents free of charge. It will also supply, free of charge, posters and printed matter intended to assist in the sale of stamps.
Rule 5. When the stamp sale is ended the agent will return all unsold stamps to the National office of the Red Cross. The Red Cross must pay for all stamps printed whether they are sold or not. Unsold stamps returned are a total loss. In view of this all agents are requested to order stamps with the utmost care. It is expected that all orders can be promptly filled. There will, therefore, be no necessity for trying to make a first order large enough to cover all the demands for the entire season. This advice is especially urged upon agents who have not heretofore sold the stamps.
Rule 6. All express charges and all postage required in forwarding shipments of stamps or in returning unsold stamps will be paid by the Red Cross.
Rule 7. Christmas stamps are to be sold at the uniform price of one cent each. The stamps will be printed in sheets of 100 each and shipped in packages of 10,000 stamps or multiples of 10,000. No broken packages will be shipped. Stamp books will not be issued in 1909.
Rule 8. In ordering stamps as Christmas approaches, it is important to consider the congested condition of business with the express companies and post offices, and the distance which the shipment must travel. By careful forethought it will usually be found possible to estimate needs early enough for orders to be filled in good time. The Red Cross will respond promptly, but cannot prevent express and postal delays.
Rule 9. On or before February 1, 1910, every agent which has sold Red Cross Christmas stamps shall pay to the American Red Cross an amount of money equal to one-third of the face value of all stamps sold by such agent. Any expenses incidental to the sale incurred by the agent will be paid from the two-thirds retained by the agent and the remainder will be applied to local anti-tuberculosis work in accordance with the plans previously approved by the Red Cross.
Societies which sold Red Cross Christmas stamps in 1908 will note that the plan of selling stamps and disposing of the proceeds described above marks a considerable departure from the plan of last year.
This change is the result of careful thought and is believed to be in the direction of better business method and greater justice to all concerned. It seems eminently fair that the important direct work of the Red Cross should in some measure profit from the sale of stamps. The loyal and generous support which the American people have given to the Red Cross leads to the belief that the buyers of stamps will be pleased to know that a portion of the money comes direct to its great work.
In making the societies which sell the stamps its agents the Red Cross is giving them certain concessions which are extremely important. They will require no cash capital or initial expenditures. The provisions for a free supply of posters and printed matter and the payment of express and postal charges by the Central Committee will assure every agent against loss. If all the work of selling stamps is carried on by volunteers, there will be no expense to the agents connected with the campaign. In any event the necessary expenses will be trifling and there is no risk of loss involved in undertaking the agency for the stamps.
The total cost to the National office of the Red Cross of printing and handling of Christmas stamps in 1908 was about $13,000. This amount was repaid from the proceeds of the wholesale price at which the Stamps were sold to agents. In 1909, under the proposal set forth in the rules above, the expenditures by the National office of the Red Cross will include not only the printing and handling of the stamps but the printing and distribution of posters, circulars, etc., and the payment of all express and postal charges upon shipments of stamps and other supplies. Instead of charging these expenses directly to the agents, as in 1908, they will be covered by the one-third share of the proceeds of stamp sales reserved by the Red Cross, as described in rule 9 above.
With a double incentive to the purchase of stamps on the part of the public, an absolute absence of risk or initial expense on the part of agents, and the great favor of the public established last year, the campaign for the Christmas season of 1909 should bring a generous return to all concerned.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
By Miss I. L. STRONG.
The second season of the Red Cross Day Camp for Tuberculosis began the first of April. Several improvements were made on last year’s camp. We now have two visiting physicians, Dr. Norcross and Dr. Lawson; a caretaker in charge (who is also “taking the cure”), two large tents loaned by the War Department, and our own kitchen and cook. One of the instructive visiting nurses is both Superintendent and nurse. The patients are ambulatory cases in the first and second stages. A few advanced cases have been admitted, but most of these have been referred to the hospital. The Camp draws its patients largely from the dispensaries.
[Illustration: FOUR OF THE YOUNGER PATIENTS. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DAY CAMP.]
The patients arrive about 9 a. m., and are given a lunch of milk and eggs. After having their temperature and pulse taken they wander out under the trees, where the hammocks and reclining chairs are found. Here they stay reading and sleeping till noon, when a hot dinner is served. This consists of meat, potatoes, one vegetable, milk, bread and butter, and a dessert, usually made of milk and eggs. After an hour’s rest the children generally play croquet or visit the spring in the woods. Lately they have been much interested in seven puppies found in the woods. Of course they have been promptly adopted. A setting hen is also a member of the family. Another lunch of milk and eggs is served at 4, the afternoon temperatures recorded, the car tickets given out, and preparations made to “break camp” at 5.30 p. m. The Camp is ideally situated among the trees high up behind the new Municipal Hospital. On the list to-day there are 19 patients—5 white men, 3 white women, 2 white boys, 5 colored men, 1 colored woman, and 3 colored children. Of the cases thus far treated 2 have been discharged cured, 3 improved and continue the out-door treatment in the country, 7 have been transferred to the hospital, 3 have died, and 9 are at home, either at work or unable to attend, thus giving a total of 43 patients admitted, with an average attendance of 14. Of the patients now on the list 9 are making constant progress, and 10 are holding their own. We feel sure that though the camp has hardly as yet made a beginning, yet the results thus far justify its continuance. The camp life is educational as well as beneficial. Fresh air, cleanliness and carefulness are constantly being taught, and each patient becomes a little center to spread the knowledge of the cause and prevention of tuberculosis. Now that it is started the District of Columbia cannot afford to be without its Red Cross Day Camp.
INDIANA
By ROWLAND EVANS, Secretary Indiana Branch American Red Cross.